Optimal fluid flow enhanced mineralization of MG-63 cells in porous chitosan scaffold

This study confirms the effects of flow rate in a perfusion culturing system on the maturation and mineralization of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells within genipin cross-linked chitosan scaffolds exhibiting distinct porous structures. The scanning electron microscopy revealed that chitosan scaffold exhibited homogeneous and interconnected pore structures with an average size of 100 lam. Perfusion of medium increased the cell viability, cellular distribution and secreted high level of type I collagen in first developmental period. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin (OCN) content of osteoblast culture in chitosan scaffold displayed maximal level at 0.24 mL/min of perfusion fluid rate. Calcium content analysis revealed a significant enhancement of deposited minerals on scaffold after 21 d cultured under flow perfusion. These results may be concluded that appropriate flow shear stress accelerated cellular differentiation and mineralization in 3D scaffolds. Therefore, dynamic culturing is a valuable and convenient tool for applications in the generation of three-dimensional bone tissue in vitro, and flow rate is an important operational factor. (C) 2013 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.